After 20 seasons, professional dancer Mark Ballas is stepping away from “Dancing With the Stars”.
The 36-year-old broke the news on the very last show of the “Dancing With the Stars” live tour, which took place last night in Las Vegas.
Mark Ballas Takes Last Dance
The professional dancer decided to announce his retirement during the final show as his parents and his wife were all in the audience.
“I’ve done 20 seasons now,” Ballas told the fans in the audience per E! News. “I started this journey when I was 21, 22 and honestly being able to dance and perform for you fans—you guys are the best fans.”
“My mom is here tonight, my dad is here tonight, my wife is here tonight, my wife’s mom and dad are here tonight,” the 36-year-old continued. “I just want to finish this by saying that this will be the last time you see me dance in this capacity. I’m coming to a close tonight. This is going to be my last dance.”
Ballas is ending his time on the show just after he won the Mirror Ball Trophy alongside his partner, Charli D’Amelio, who he thanked while on stage last night.
“Charli means the world to me,” he said. “D’Amelio family, you guys mean the world to me. Thank you for everything.”
He ended his announcement by thanking the fans and thanking his past partners. “Thank you guys for a lifetime of memories,” he said. “I appreciate it. I’m not saying this is the end. This is just the last time I’ll be dancing with a partner.”
Ballas has won three Mirror Ball trophies over the years. His first was in season six with partner Kristi Yamaguchi. His second was in season eight with partner Shawn Johnson. And his most recent was last season with partner Charli D’Amelio.
“Dancing With the Stars” Cast Reacts
Emma Slater, co-host of the “Dancing With the Stars” live tour and professional dancer took the microphone as the cast came out on stage to hug Ballas.
“Mark, we love you so much,” Slater said. “Look at all the cast coming out to see you. Such a champion. I don’t think Dancing with the Stars would have been the same without this guy right here.”
Fans also took to social media after hearing the news, expressing their love for the professional dancer. “Mark Ballas now has a legacy that will live on at DWTS! We will remember all the awesome dances he gave us and this isn’t the end, this is only the beginning of a brand new era! 💚,” one fan Tweeted.
Mark Ballas now has a legacy that will live on at DWTS! We will remember all the awesome dances he gave us and this isn’t the end, this is only the beginning of a brand new era! 💚
— M.B 💚 (@HoughKin) March 14, 2023
Another fan suggested Mark Balls take Len Goodman‘s place as judge on the show now that the head judge is retiring as well. “Time for @MarkBallas to now become Len’s replacement on the judging panel and be the new judge for season 32!! PLEASE @officialdwts MAKE MARK THE NEW JUDGE!! ,” they wrote.
Time for @MarkBallas to now become Len's replacement on the judging panel and be the new judge for season 32!! PLEASE @officialdwts MAKE MARK THE NEW JUDGE!!
— ✰Gabriela Gregoris✰ (@MacGabby1818) March 13, 2023
Another fan shared a video of his last dance with Charli D’Amelio, which brought many to tears.
If anyone wants to cry more pic.twitter.com/ufVLfBKUbi
— Aya (@BeanBallas) March 13, 2023
Congratulations on an incredible journey, Mark Ballas.
